Councilmember Wants a Different Approach to Managed Competition Process

Councilmember David Alvarez believes something is missing from the Mayor's approach to allowing private companies to bid on public services. In a October 12 memo, Alvarez says the statements of work outlined by the Mayor's office maintains current levels of service. They do not, however, look at alternatives to improve service levels, or reduce the cost of those services.

"Thus far, every [preliminary statement of work] has considered simply [continuing] status quo service levels and performance standards," reads the memo.

Alvarez says by doing so the City is potentially forfeiting millions of dollars in savings.

As an example the District 8 representative pointed to the statement of work for street sweeping which he said failed to look at alternatives such as increasing sweeping in critical watershed areas while reducing the service in areas with a high number of parked cars and no parking enforcement.

"Even if the eventual winner...achieves significant reductions in operating costs, they will still be locked into providing suboptimal level of service set out in the statement of work for five years."

On Wednesday, Alvarez presented the memo to his colleagues on the Rules Committee. Council President Tony Young showed support for the new approach.